The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Page twenty five

"Galactic Gut Guide: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Migrating
 Motor Complex"
**Migrating Motor Complex (or MMC)**
---
The Migrating Motor Complex, or MMC, is not, as one might mistakenly
 assume, a large group of interstellar vehicles deciding to move from
 one part of the galaxy to the other. No, in fact, it's something far
 more intriguing and exists within the realms of biology, specifically
 the digestive tracts of certain carbon-based life forms, including
 humans. 
In the vast, uncharted backwaters of the western spiral arm of the
 Galaxy lies Earth, a wholly unremarkable planet whose inhabitants are
 notable for having made the digital watch and, less famously but more
 importantly for this article, for having digestive systems that
 demonstrate the workings of the MMC rather elegantly.
The MMC is essentially a housekeeping wave, which might sound like a
 form of interstellar janitorial service, but in reality, it is a
 crucial physiological process. It occurs in a somewhat rhythmic cycle
 every 90 to 120 minutes during a period of fasting between meals and
 involves a series of electrical waves that sweep through the
 intestines. The primary purpose of these waves is to clear out
 undigested food, foreign bodies, and deceased cells that have not been
 absorbed into the body. One might liken the MMC to the reset button of
 the gastrointestinal tract, or, for those of an intergalactic
 inclination, the equivalent of a space sweeper clearing cosmic debris
 from an orbital path.
Why should the denizens of the galaxy care about the MMC, you ask?
 Understanding the MMC can give insight into the complex and often
 precarious balance of life. For example, disruptions in the MMC are
 linked to various digestive complaints and disorders, something that
 might concern those indulging in the diverse and sometimes hazardous
 cuisines of the galaxy, from the mildly perilous Pangalactic Gargle
 Blaster to the notoriously lethal fugu fish of planet Earth. 
Travelers are cautioned that while exploring the diverse culinary
 offerings of the cosmos may enhance their interstellar adventures,
 maintaining MMC health is crucial. Standard advisories include
 avoiding the consumption of small spacecraft (these do not digest
 well), ensuring any food from the Crab Nebula is thoroughly cooked to
 deactivate its natural neurotoxins, and, when in doubt, consulting a
 Galactic Nutritionist.
In summary, the MMC might seem like a minor component of the complex
 systems that govern life, but its efficient operation is vital for the
 well-being of many organisms across the universe. Plus, understanding
 it fully might just keep an adventurous traveler from spending too
 much unwanted time locating facilities on a spaceship or alien world
 which, as any experienced hitchhiker will tell you, can sometimes
 prove more challenging than finding a good cup of tea in the Horsehead
 Nebula.


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